Architecture Book, 18th Century

This gorgeous antique book is an architecture treatise published circa 1750, with original period binding and in quite good condition. The book contains a total of fifty engravings and four fold-outs that turn it into a very complete handbook. In fact, this book is known as the Petit Vignole as it is a pocket edition (A8) of a famous A4 size book published by the author, M. Jacques Barrozio de Vignole. Its full title is: VIGNOLE ROYALE - DES CINQ ORDRES darchitecture dédié aux amateurs de lart. Règles des cinq ordres darchitecture de M. Jacques Barrozio de Vignole, avec une augmentation nouvelle de Michel Angelo Bonarch et autres. The book describes the particular features and rules of the five basic architectural orders, with contents addressed to (as stated in the title) art lovers. The first page shows a delicate classic-style engraving depicting two cherubs who hold a shield with a fleur-de-lis motive in an architectural background with volutes and flowers. The books title is printed on top of the engraving. The next page contains a Note for the Reader, and the third shows another engraving with two angels holding a laurel wreath over a wise mans head (probably the author) in front of a cloudy sky. Over the engraving we can read the full title, and under it remains the editors name and Parisian address.The books binding is from the same period and remains in good condition. It is lined with brown leather and the covers are adorned by slim hot-stamped gold-plated perimeter fringes. The spine has gold-plated raised bands and sections decorated with gold motives. At the top of the spine, inside a red section we can see the gold-plated inscription VIGNOLE ARCHITECT. The bindings inner side is covered by a lovely hand-made blue, yellow and red marbled paper. This architecture handbook, original from the 18th century, is an exclusive piece worthy of the most complete library. Measurements: Width: 4.5 in / 11 cm. Height: 6.6 in / 17 cm.